El rata primero: A charming, chaotic rodent romp 🐭

So, El rata primero. Is it worth tracking down today? Well, if you’re into the real old-school animation, like the stuff that predates even the big studios’ glory days, then absolutely. It's a quick, charming watch, perfect for a rainy afternoon if you’ve got a soft spot for simple gags and hand-drawn characters. Anyone looking for deep plots or slick animation will probably find it a bit… quaint, let's say. But for the rest of us, it’s a fun little peek into how cartoons started.

This short, from the mind of Ricardo García 'K-Hito', gives us Rata, a tiny, super determined rodent. He’s got this way of moving, almost like he’s got springs in his legs. The whole thing plays out like a silent movie that learned to talk a little, with Antonio Bellón lending his voice to Rata’s squeaks and tiny triumphant shouts. It’s pretty basic, but in a good way.

The entire film feels like a series of quick sketches. You see Rata trying to get into a pantry. First, he tries to tunnel under the door, then climb the wall using a dropped broom. It’s all very physical comedy. There’s this one bit where he accidentally knocks over a stack of plates, and the sound effect is just comically loud for such a small creature. Like, it makes you jump a little.

And the cat character! Oh, that cat. He’s usually asleep or just incredibly slow. Rata will be right under his nose, snatching a bread crust, and the cat just blinks slowly, as if thinking, “Was that… a draft?” The animators really lean into this idea that Rata is always three steps ahead. It’s not about grand adventures, just everyday survival with a lot of flair.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of El rata primero (1932) through its definitive frames.

One scene, Rata is trying to get a piece of cheese off a high shelf. He stacks up some empty tins. They wobble. You just know they're gonna fall. And they do! But Rata, quick as a flash, somehow catches the cheese mid-air as the tins crash down around him. He just looks at the camera, gives a little shrug, and scampers off. It's a really well-timed visual gag, even today. Those little pauses, like he's waiting for applause, are gold.

The drawings are rough, sure. Lines aren’t always perfectly straight. But that’s part of the charm, isn't it? It has this kind of energy, like someone drew it with pure enthusiasm. The backgrounds are often just a single color, or maybe a simple table. Nothing fancy. It lets you focus on Rata and whatever silly predicament he’s gotten himself into this time.

It’s a cartoon that doesn’t try to be anything more than what it is: a few minutes of fun. It feels like someone just wanted to make people laugh with a mouse and a cat, and they did it. No big messages, no hidden meanings. Just a rat causing a ruckus. And sometimes, that’s all you need.

Didja notice?

• Rata's ears sometimes change size depending on his mood. Like, when he's surprised, they get HUGE.
• The cat always lets out this very human-sounding yawn. So weird.
• There's a moment when Rata winks at the audience after a successful heist. Totally broke the fourth wall before that was even a phrase.
• The background art for the kitchen looks like it was done in about five minutes. Not a complaint, just an observation.
• One time, Rata uses a feather to tickle the cat's nose to wake him up, just so he can then lead the cat away. 🤣 The audacity!